International speaker inspires local youth with feats of strength and powerful message
March 16, 2023
Arcadia, WI, March 17, 2023 - First National Bank and Trust Company presented the second year of FNBT Promise on Tuesday, March 14 with motivational speaker, Jon Pritikin who spoke to over 1,125 middle school and high school students in the local area.
First National Bank Trust Company hosts this annual event as a way to reinvest in area youth and provide a speaker to schools at no cost. This year assemblies were held at Arcadia School District and Independence School District with students from Holy Family Catholic School and St. Boniface School joining onsite in Arcadia and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School joining onsite in Independence.
Jon Pritikin, known for breaking two Guinness World Records, combines his attention-grabbing “feats of strength” with an even more impressive message of how he overcame incredible challenges throughout his life. He positively motivates student to make the kind of important daily choices that affirm the value they place in themselves and in others.
Pictured above: Jon Pritikin talking to students as they exit the assembly.
"I know Jon's message resonated with our students. I could see it on their faces when he was speaking, and I could hear it in their voices when they talked about it later. Several students spoke about how they were moved by his message,” said Wyatt Anderson, High School Principal & Co-Athletic Director for School District of Arcadia. “Jon has a way of connecting with those that have been or are hurting, and it is great for those students to know that there are others that share a similar story."
Independence Public Schools reacted similarly as shared on their Facebook page, “Thank you to First National Bank and Trust Company for sponsoring speaker Jon Pritikin. He shared an emotional message of hope and resilience with our middle school and high students emphasizing the need to help each other and spread kindness.”
Jon teaches every child is worth investing in, no one should feel alone, and a person’s future is not defined by their past. He has travelled the world for over two decades inspiring over 10 million people across 40 different countries with his “Feel the Power” presentations since 1994.
Pictured above (left to right): First National Bank and Trust Company (FNBT) employees Leah Jacobs, Lucia Wineski, pose with motivational speaker, Jon Pritikin, along with FNBT employees Ian Leavitt and Emanuel Gomez and Mr. Anderson from High School Principal & Co-Athletic Director for School District of Arcadia
"Jon did an excellent job relating to the students through his feats of strength and his life story. The students were impacted by his raw emotion and how people struggle to fit in at a young age," added Leanne Haines representative with Holy Family Catholic School.
“Jon had a great message that resonated with some many children in our community. With having two boys that were able to attend the assembly it gave me a great opportunity to continue the conversation at home. I am honored First National Bank and Trust Company was able to bring Jon into our community and share his story. Thank you to all the school districts who joined us,” concluded Josh Grzadzielewski, Vice President of Community Banking with First National Bank and Trust Company.
To learn more about Jon visit feelthepower.org and to learn more about First National Bank and Trust Company visit firstnbtc.com.
About First National Bank & Trust Company: First National Bank & Trust Company is a community bank located in Clinton, Illinois as well as Arcadia, Whitehall and Independence, Wisconsin. Dedicated to community prosperity, the First National Bank and Trust Company was chartered in 1872 under the name DeWitt County National Bank and became part of the TS Banking Group in 2017. With $410 million in assets, First National Bank and Trust Company is dedicated to community reinvestment and gives 10% of its pre-tax income back to the community. For more information, visit firstnbtc.com.